Bill Richardson has launched an effort to court the all important women’s vote which is seen as a “crucial Democratic voting bloc by pledging to protect the right to abortion.”

The New Mexico governor and former Clinton Cabinet member launched his Women for Richardson effort with pledges to support pay equity, back limited Social Security credit for family leave, and appoint judges who would uphold abortion rights.

“This is not a constituency issue. This is not an issue of women being a special interest. Women are the majority in this country,” Richardson said. “What I’m doing here is addressing the interests of the majority.”

In a speech to a mainly female audience, Richardson said his judicial nominees would have to support the precedent established in Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

“When you talk about Supreme Court justices, you look at the enormous damage the Supreme Court has done over the last two months. It has not been a good summer,” he said.

Richardson said he appointed women to top jobs as a member of Congress, Cabinet secretary, and governor.

“I’ve always appointed women to critical positions. You know why? Women are better workers than men. It’s very simple,” Richardson said to laughter. “I hope that doesn’t lose the men’s vote.”

Richardson’s effort to court the women’s vote comes a little to the party. Hillary Clinton already has a large contingent of women voters and influential women backing her candidacy. Time will tell. The race for the White House is still wide open in my opinion and anything can happen between now and the primaries.

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